Digger bucket



C. E. EVANS DIGGER BUCKET Sept. 27, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July '25, 1951 c. EVANS DIGGER BUCKET Sept. 27, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, 1951 C. E. EVANS DIGGE'R BUCKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 25 195 United States Patent Ofilice 2,718,961 Patented Sept. 27, 1955 DIGGER BUCKET Application July 25, 1951, Serial No. 238,491

Claims. (Cl. 198-144) This invention relates to improvements in digger buckets of the endless chain type.

A principal object of my invention is to provide a digger bucket construction for an endless bucket line, so constructed as to enable the length and displacement volume of the cleaner member to be increased over former bucket constructions and to extend to the backs of the buckets.

Another object of my invention is to simplify the bucket and connecting link construction for an endless bucket line by providing separate connecting links connecting the buckets together and providing cleaner links separate from the connecting links, so as to reduce wear on the cleaner links and buckets and increase the capacity of the buckets and volume displacement of the cleaner links.

novel and improved form of endless bucket line in which a plurality of buckets are connecting together by simple and easily replaceable connecting links which may be interchanged to present new wearing surfaces and extend' the life of the bucket line.

1 Still another and more detailed object of my invention" is to provide an endless digging chain including a series of digging buckets and connecting links connecting the ,buckets together, wherein pairs of laterally spaced connecting links are pivoted to opposite ends of the buckets and are separate from the cleaner members, so as to take wear on the connecting links and pins and minimize wear on the buckets and cleaner members.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved form of bucket construction having stepped side walls at the interior of the bucket forv receiving individual connecting links within the outermost limits of the side walls of the buckets, and wherein the outer side walls extend in a uniplanar path beyond the stepped portions thereof, and with the inwardly spaced side walls form a boxed-in construction, for receiving and connecting the individual connecting links to the buckets;

Still another object of my invention is to provide a bucket line of the endless chain type wherein the buckets are in effect pivotally connected together on two separate strands of chain so as to eliminate alternate open .links of the chainand accommodate a longer cleaner member thanformerly, which may be set back farther Still another object of my invention is to provide a v in the bucket, so as to increase the capacity of the bucket and the displacement volume of the cleaner link. (These and other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification pro- Geeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a bucket line of the endless chain type, showing certain parts broken away and certain other parts in section;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in rear elevation of a part ofa bucket line, with certain parts broken away and 'showni'n vertical section;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line IIIIII of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line IV-IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of bucket constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary horizontal. sectional view taken substantially along line VIVI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line VII-VII of FigurejS; and

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 of the drawings, a bucket line of the chain and sprocket type is indicated generally by reference character 10. The bucket line 10 includes generally a series of digging buckets 11, 11 connected together by laterally spaced connecting links 12, 12 meshing with a sprocket 13 carried on a transverse shaft 14. The transverse shaft 14 may be power driven, by a suitable drive means not shown, and the endless bucket line may change its direction of travel around a second sprocket (not shown) and the uprun side of the bucket line may be backed up by suitable rollers or wearing strips (not shown).

Each digging bucket 11 has a pair of parallel spaced side walls 15, 15 extending upwardly from an arcuate bottom 17 of the bucket. The side walls 15-15 may be secured to the bottom 17 as by welding or may be integrally formed with said bottom and also extend downwardly beneath the bottom 17 of the bucket and have a lower abutment face 19, herein shown as being perpendicular to the line of travel of the bucket, when traveling between its two sprockets. The abutment faces 19 have abutting engagement with abutment members 20, herein shown as being formed integral with the upper ends of the side walls 15, 15 of the next adjacent buckets, when the buckets are traveling in a straight line, to resist the tendency of the digging action to tip the bucket downwards and outward, especially between unsupported points. The abutment members 20, 20 also extend inwardly from the side walls 15,- 15 to engage the links 12 and further resist tipping of the buckets. v

The bottom 17 of the bucket is of an arcuate formation, the center of the arc of which is struck about the axis of pivotal connection of the links 12, 12 to the upper end of the bucket. The bottom 17 extends to the extended forward ends of the side walls 15, 15 and terminates into a forward digging edge 21, having a plurality of digger teeth 22, 22 carried thereby. 22, 22 may be of any well known form, and are herein shown as being similar to the teeth shown and described substantially in a prior application Serial No. 217,856, filed by me on March 27, 1951, and entitled Tooth for Digger Bucket. It will be noted from the drawings that the spaced chains 10 having a maximum overall width that is less than the width of the bucket digging edge 21.

The interior portion of the side wall 15 is of. a stepped formation and extendsinwardly from the forward edge thereof for a portion of the depth thereof, and is provided with a shoulder 23, herein shown asbeing formed integrally therewith and extending inwardly therefrom. The shoulder 23 is shown as extending vertically for a portion of the height of the bucket and then angularly downwardly and outwardly to the bottom of the bucket, adjacent but inwardly of the digging edge thereof. A wall 24 extends from the shoulder 23 and terminates at 'the back and rear of the bucket. The shoulders 23,23

and the inner wall portions 24, 24, extending rearwardly therefrom, form outwardly opening recesses. oflsufiicient The digger teeth width to recess the links 1212 within the outer margins 6fthc bucket.

The outside of the wall 15 is shown as extending beyond the shoulder 23, parallel to the plane of the inner wall portion 24 to the 'rear'wau ofthe bucket, and "with the wall 24 provides a bifurcated rear wall portion, boxing in and supporting the corinectingliriks 12, 12 'on longitudinally spaced pivot pins 26 and 27. Reinforcing ribs 28, 28 are provided between thewall'portions 15 and 24, adjacent the lower and forward ends thereof. As herein shown, said reinforcing ribs are of generally L- shaped form, inclined r'earwar'dly with respect to the direction of travel of the bucket. Said ribs may be formed integrally with aperturedbos'ses 29, 29 at'opposite ends'th'er'eof which may be secured to the walls of said buckets as by welding. The reinforcing ribs 28, thus act as 'stifie'ning members at the bottom portion of the bucket, to prevent distortion of the walls thereof due to the heavy strains encountered during the digging operati'on and "also 'act as stops to aid in preventing tipping of the bucket. The apertured portions of said bosses may be used to support side cutter attachments (not shown) for increasing the 'cutting 'width.

The bifurcated wall "portions 15 and 24 of the bucket are shown in Figures 1 and 2 as being drilled at vertic'ally spaced points, in vertically aligned relation with respect to each other, to provide mountings for'the pivot pins 26 and 27, respectively, for the individual connecting links 12, 12. This provides a two point support for the pivot pins 26 and 27 enabling said pins to be suitably secured to the parallel spaced walls thereof, to support the connecting links 12, 12 therebet'we'en. It also boxes or partially encloses the links between said walls and avoids restricting of the capacity of the bucket by through pins extending entirely across the rear end of the bucket. It also makes it unnecessary to make every second through chain open to avoid undue restriction and operation of the cleaner member. This construction further enables the cleaner member to extend from above the top of the bucket to the back thereof, when in a vertical plane.

The connecting links 12, 12 may be made from castings or drop forgings or maybe made in any other suitable manner, and are preferably interchangeable, and also may be reversible, if desired. Each connecting link 12 is shown as having spaced drilled bosses 31, 31 through which extend the pivot pins 26 and 27 respectively, for pivotally connecting adjacent ends of the buckets together. Each link 12 likewise has rib 32 extending between the bosses 31, 31 and herein shown as having a rectangular slot 33 extending therethrough in a generally horizontal direction when the link is traveling vertically. The "slot 33, slidably receives a projecting end 34 or an upper transverse. rib 35 of a cleaner member 36 (see Figure 2). The pivot pins 27, 27 extend inwardly of the inner side walls 24, 24 of the bucket 11 and the inner extending ends thereof form pivotal rnhuntin'gs for the cleaner members 36, 36. The inner end of each pair of aligned pins 27, 27 thus mounts a cleaner member 36 to pivot about the axis of pivotal connection of the upper connecting link to the bucket and follow the arcuate bottom 17 thereof atits lower end. A

Each cleaner member 36, as herein shown, includes a pair of parallel spaced ribs 37, 37 extending along the bottom of a plate 39 forming a movable material ejecting rear wall of the bucket. The ribs 37,, 37 are shown as extending downwardly from the transverse rib 35 and are shown as having bearing bosses 40, 4llfor the inner ends of the pivot pins 27, 27 formed adjacent their upper ends, but spaced downwardly from the transverse rib 35. The plate 39 is shown as extending downwardly along the connecting links 12, 12 from a point spaced above the upper margins of the side walls 15, 15 of the bucket downwardly in the same general plane as the outer margins of the link 12, 12' and as then being inclined rcarwardly to. apoint adjacent the rear edges of the side walls 24, 24 as said plate extends beyond the axis of the pivot pin '27. The plate then extends vertically along the rear margins of the side walls 15, 15 to a point just short of the bottom 17 of the bucket. A reinforcing or scraper lip 43, extends across the bottom of the plate 39, into proximity to the bottom of the bucket 17, to move along said bottom and eject material therefrom as the bucket changes its direction oftravel about the sprocket 18, as shown in Figure -1.

In assembling the bucket line, the links 12, 12 may be first assembled'to the cleanermemb'er 36 by inserting them on the projecting ends '34, 34 of the'rib 35. The links 12, 12 may then be moved'bodily into the recesses between the side walls 15 and 24. 7 At the same time the cleaner member 36 will be moved between the inner side walls 24, 24 until the aperturrid portions of the bosses 40, 40 are in registry with the apertured portions of the side walls 15 and 24. At this point, the pins 27, 27 may be inserted through the apertur'd portions of the side walls 24 and 25and'thr ough the armed partions of the bosses 31, 31 and 40, 40 to pivotall'y'secure the cleaner member 36 between the side walls 'of'th'e bucket, to pivot about the axis of pivotal connection of the advance or upper connecting links thereto, and to pivot with said links as the chain changes itsdirection of travel about its drive and idler sprockets, andeject the excavated material from the bucket "at the upper end'of its'path of travel. I

It may be seen from the foregoing that a'sirriplified form of cleaner member and link construction for "a digger bucket has been provided, wherein the buckets are pivotally connected "together by s aced individual connecting links, and wherein the cleaner member is separate from the connecting links, but is slidably cbnnected thereto'so as to be moved thereby and "eject material from the bucket as the bucket turns about its upper direction changing sprockets. Itmay further be seen that with the 'construction'just described all through shafts extending entirelythrough the bucket are emarnated, so the cleaner membermay extend r'earwardl'y of the axis of pivotal connection-of the trailing connecting link 12 to the bucket, to substantially the rear wall-of the bucket.

It may still further 'be seen, particularly with-reference to Figure 1, that the cleaner member 36"extends-from a position between the extended side "walls of the next adjacent bucket from a point disposed adjacent:the bottom thereof, downwardly along the connecting links 12, 12 and then inwardly to there'ar edge 'o'ffth'e bucket and downwardly to the arcuate bbttomthere'of, thus'pr'bviding a relatively long cleaner member extending frpm one bucket to the other increasing the capacity "of the bucket line and the displacement volume "of the cleaner members.

It may also be seen that 'sin'cethe connetirig links are separate links at each side of the -buclet 'and are also separate from the cleaner member 'and slid'abIy can nected thereto that wear and twisting is taken nam n cleaner members and placed on the connecting links and pins connecting said links to their -buckets,rna'kin'g it only necessary "to "replace"the connecting links when worn, reusing the buckets and cleaner members, and materially increasing the life of the bucket line -anddecreasing the cost of maintenance thereof.

Furthermore, the boxing 'in'or the pa'rtiallyenclbsing of the connecting links between the walls 1 5 and 2'4, rigidly supports the connecting links at the side walls of the bucket, rendering it unnecessary tousethr'oiig'h pins connecting the links to the bucket, and making'i t possible to use individual laterally spaced connecting links to connect the buckets together, onthe equivalent of two laterally spaced separate strands of chain;

In the form of my invention 'illustrated'in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive,,-the same general-form of bucket con.- struction is used as shownin the form ofmyinvention illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 except the bucket is so constructed that it may more readily be formed by casting, and has separate outer side wall members boxing in the connecting links and detachably secured to the side walls of the bucket. In this form of my invention, a bucket 11a is shown as having parallel spaced side walls 15a, 15a extending upwardly from a bottom 17a thereof, and herein shown as being formed integrally therewith. The adjacent buckets are connected together by individual connecting links 12a, 12a on pivot pins 26a and 27a. A cleaner member 36a, much like the cleaner member 36 is also provided.

Each side wall 15a has an inwardly extending shouldered portion 23a. A wall 24a extends rearwardly from said shouldered portion to the rear end of the bucket. The recess formed ,by the shouldered portion 23a and the Wall 24a, forms a recess extending inwardly from the outside .of the bucket to receive the connecting links 12a, 12a. A separate plate 50 is shown as being secured to each side wall 15a and supporting the outer ends of the pivotal pins 26a and 27a. The plate 50 is herein shown as being of a generally triangular form, although 'it need not be so formed. A bolt 51 is shown as extending through said plate, adjacent the apex of the triangle, and through the wall portion 15a, adjacent but spaced outwardly from the shouldered portion 23a thereof. A nut and lock washer 53 are herein shown as threaded on the inner end of the bolt 51.

The side walls 15a, 15a likewise each have an outwardly extending abutment surface 54 at their upper ends, extending from an abutment rib 57, and engageable with the outer side of an associated link 12a, to resist the tendency of the digging action to tip the bucket. Said side walls also have abutment members 56, 56 forming downwardly projecting extensions of their lower ends, which are adapted to abut the ribs 57, 57 at the upper ends, of the side walls 15a, 15a, of the next adjacent bucket and form a stop therefor to further resist tipping of the bucket.

The links 12a, 12a are shown as having spaced cars 59, 59 extending inwardly therefrom from opposite sides thereof. Said ears are spaced to receive the projecting ends of a transverse rib 60, extending transversely across the rear end of the cleaner member 36a, to cause said cleaner member to pivot with associated connecting links 12a, 12a.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A continuously digging bucket line construction comprising a plurality of spaced buckets having a bottom with a forwardly projecting digger edge, side walls extending upwardly from said bottom, individual advance and trailing connecting links partially enclosed within said side Walls and connecting said buckets together, and a cleaner member forming a movable rear wall of said bucket and pivotally connected thereto adjacent the upper end thereof for movement between said connecting links, and extending downwardly along the back of said bucket to a position adjacent the bottom thereof and also extending upwardly therefrom for slidable attachment to and movement with the advance of said connecting links.

2. A digging bucket construction for a continuous bucket line comprising a bucket having a bottom with a forwardly projecting digging edge, laterally spaced inwardly stepped side walls wider at their forward than their rear ends extending from said bottom, the outsides of the narrow rear ends of said side walls forming recesses for receiving the links connecting the buckets together within the outer limits of the side walls thereof, and a cleaner member pivotally connected to the inwardly stepped side wall portions, within the limits thereof, and extending downwardly along said side walls to a position adjacent the bottom of said bucket, and also extending upwardly therefrom for connection with the advance links connecting said buckets together.

3. A digging bucket construction for a continuous bucket line comprising a bucket having a bottom with a forwardly projecting digging edge, spaced side walls inwardly stepped at their inner sides, rearwardly of the forward ends thereof and substantially uniplanar at their outer sides, forming spaced supporting wall portions extending along the rear of the bucket for receiving and partially enclosing the individual connecting links connecting said buckets together, and pivot pins extending through said inner and outer supporting wall portions, for connecting the connecting links thereto.

4. A continuous bucket line comprising a plurality of digger buckets with spaced connecting links connecting said buckets together, each of said buckets having a bottom with side walls extending upwardly therefrom and a forwardly projecting digging edge, each of said side walls being inwardly stepped and being wider at its forward than its rear end, the inwardly spaced portions of said side walls forming outwardly opening recesses receiving said connecting links within the side walls of said buckets, and cover plates secured to the outer sides of said side walls and extending along the outer sides of said connecting links and with said inwardly spaced side walls partially enclosing said connecting links and'forming support means for the pivot pins pivotally connecting said links to said brackets.

5. A continuous bucket line comprising a plurality of digger buckets with spaced connecting links, connecting said buckets together, each of said buckets having a bottom with side walls extending upwardly therefrom and a forwardly projecting digging edge, each of said side walls being inwardly stepped and being wider at its forward than its rear end, the inwardly spaced portions of said side walls forming outwardly opening recesses receiving said connecting links within the side walls of said buckets, cover plates secured to the outer sides of said side walls and extending along the outer sides of said connecting links, individual pivot pins for said connecting links mounted on said cover plates and inwardly spaced side wall portions for pivotally connecting said connecting links to opposite ends of the buckets, and a cleaner member pivotally connected for movement about an axis coaxial with the uppermost of said pivot pins and extending downwardly therefrom to form the back of the buckets and upwardly therefrom into interengagement with the advance of said connecting links.

6. A digging bucket construction for a continuous digging bucket line including a bucket having a bottom with digger teeth projecting therefrom, inwardly stepped side walls wider at their forward than their rear ends, the stepped portions of said side walls forming outwardly opening recesses, connecting links in said recesses, cover plates secured to the outer sides of said side walls and extending along the stepped portions thereof in parallel relation with respect thereto along the outer sides of said connecting links, means detachably securing said cover plates to said side walls and pivot pins extending through said cover plates and the inwardly stepped portions of said side walls for pivotally connecting said connecting links to opposite ends of the bucket, the uppermost of said pivot pins extending inwardly of the stepped portions of said side walls, and a cleaner member pivotally connected thereto and extending downwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the bottom of the bucket and upwardly therefrom into interengagement with the advance of said connecting links.

7. In a material elevating and self-discharging bucket structure, a bucket having spaced sides, a bottom connecting said sides and separate spaced but axially alined link pivot elements, each being supportingly connected to an upper portion of one of said sides and extending between said sides and over said bottom, a back for said bucket comprising a cleaner and discharge member depending from and being swingably carried by said pivot elements between said sides with a-major lowerportion thereof offset rearwardly below said .pivot elements to expose substantially all of the top of said bottom for the receipt'of material thereon and chain means for said bucket pivotally connected to each of said pivot elements between a bucket side and the cleaner member whereby the forward edge of the bucket bottom is wider than the overall'width of the chain means connected to the bucket.

8. In a material elevatingand self-discharging bucket structure, a bucket having spaced sides, a bottom connecting said sides and separate spaced but axially alined link pivot elements, each being supportingly connected to an upper portion of one of said sides and extending between said'sides'and over said bottom, a back for said bucket comprising-a cleaner and discharge member depending-from and being swingably carried by said pivot elements between said sides with a major lower portion thereof offset rearwardly below said pivot elements to expose substantially all of the top of said bottom for the receipt of material thereon, and a link for each pivot element having an endpivotally mounted on one of said elements between one of said sides and said cleaner member.

-9.-I-n a material elevating andself-discharging bucket structure, a bucket having spaced sides, a bottom connecting said sides and separatespaced but axially alined link pivot elements, each being supportingly connected to-an upper portion of one of said sides and extending between said sides and over said bottom, and a back for said bucket comprising a cleaner anddischarge member depending from-and being swingably carried by said pivotelernents between saidsides with a major lower portion-thereof offset rearwardly below said pivot elements to ex'posesubstantially all of the top of said bottom'for the receipt of material thereon, each of saidsides also having a stepped wall offset upwardly over said bottom and parallelto but spaced from the side for alsopivotally receiving one of said pivot elements common to it and one bucket side'and with said cleaner member supported on said pivot elements inwardly of andin close proximity to said offset wall.

10. -In amaterial elevating and self-discharging bucket structure, a bucket having spaced sides, a bottom connecting said sides and separate spaced but axially alined link pivot elements, each being supportingly connected to an upper portion of one of said sides and extending between said sides and over said bottom, aback for said bucket comprising a cleaner-and discharge member depending from and being swingably carried'by said pivot elements between said sides with a majorlower portion thereof offset rearwardly below said .pivot elernents to expose substantially all of the top of said bottom 'for the receipt of material thereon, each of said sides also having a stepped wall offset upwardly over said bottom and parallel to but spacedfrom the side for also pivotally receiving one of said pivot elements common to it and one bucket side and with said cleaner member supported on said pivot elements inwardly of and in-close proximity to said ofiset wall, and a link for each pivot element having an end pivoted to the element in the space between one of said sides and its adjoining ofiset wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 16997 Barber "June 19, 1928 1,434,601 French Nov. 7, 1922 1,760,489 George May 27, 1930 1,850,364 Vaughn 'Mar.'22, 1 932 2,335,166 Wilson Nov.'2-3, 1943 

